The Department of Public Works recently visited a local elementary school to help teach kids how their city works. Deputy Director Shannon Oldfield-Blanks spoke to a kindergarten class that has been learning about different parts of city life. The lesson focused on streets, traffic signs, and the importance of staying safe in their everyday surroundings, as reported by the City of New Orleans.
During the visit, Oldfield-Blanks opened a dialogue about the complexities of constructing, and maintaining the skeletal frame of public infrastructure. The safety gear, including hard hats and reflective vests seemed to captivate the students' attention, sparking inquiries about the protective measures taken by workers amidst active cityscapes, according to the City of New Orleans. The engagement level of these students, notably young, was reflected in the thoughtful questions they posed about everyday observations like damaged street signs and what lies beneath the asphalt we traverse.
The discussion on subterranean infrastructure led to the discovery that a vast network of pipelines operates under their feet, a revelation that intrigued the room about how such systems are managed during construction. The importance of coordination in accessing, and maintaining these systems without disrupting everyday life was shared with the students, sparking a conversation as lively as the city streets they were learning about, as detailed by the City of New Orleans.
For Department of Public Works, this classroom visit marked more than a day’s excursion into the realm of youthful curiosity. It was an investment in the premise that understanding the cogs and wheels of their city can plant the seeds for future problem-solvers, engineers, and advocates for public service. As the organization looks forward to similar engagements, the essence of public service stands reaffirmed in the faces of students who are just starting to spell the word "infrastructure." The Department of Public Works cherishes these interactions, finding joy and inspiration in students who applied real-world concepts to create a miniaturized version of their own city, proving that it’s never too early to shape the future's thinkers, builders, and planners, as per the City of New Orleans.
